Mark Webber recalls one of his greatest F1 victories

Staff WritersPress Association
Camera IconMark Webber has recalled one his greatest F1 wins and the cheeky sledge at his Red Bull teammates. (EPA PHOTO) Credit: EPA

Thirteen years on from a famous British Grand Prix victory at Silverstone, Mark Webber has touched on the uneasiness in the Red Bull camp involving his then rivalry with teammate Sebastian Vettel.

The Australian motor racing ace won his first British GP in 2010, but not all went to plan for Red Bull that day as the fancied Vettel suffered a puncture leaving Webb to challenge for honours.

"This was one of the biggest memories of my life," Webb recalled.

"There was a lot of tension going into that race because of the contradictions on the equipment I felt I was receiving compared to my Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel.

"I had a close start with Seb in Turn 1. He then made contact with Lewis (Hamilton), got a puncture - which I was heartbroken about - and after that I was racing Lewis to the flag.

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"It was not a regulation victory - you always have to earn them and do the work - but I managed to have a clean day in front of a full house.

"I said to the team over the radio 'not bad for a No.2 driver.' I just thought I would let them know I wasn't a bad driver."

Webber competed in Formula One between 2002 and 2013, winning nine F1 grand prixs and finishing third in the drivers championship in 2010, 2011 and 2013.

The 46-year-old from Queanbeyan will appear as an analyst for Channel 4 in their coverage of Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Webber said he loved competing at Silverstone, one of his favourite venues.

"I always enjoyed racing there," he said. "The atmosphere of the crowd is incredible and they are bloody knowledgeable. You really feel that as a driver.

"It is a phenomenal circuit and one that should never be taken off the calendar. It is the embodiment of what F1 is all about."

Webber recalled two other great races at the track that captured his imagination - Hamilton's win in 2008 and the Briton's 2021 duel with Max Verstappen.

"Bloody hell. What Lewis did that day (2008) was just magical. He tore the field apart. I was on the front row, and spun on the first lap. Everyone made a mistake that day, but Lewis didn't.

"He crossed the line 70 seconds clear of anyone else and lapped the field up to third. It was an exceptional display."

He likened Hamilton's duel with Verstappen as two gladiators marking their territories.

"It is what makes our sport so great - two legends taking each other to the wire in front of a full house at a daunting circuit.

"Lewis is probably one of, if not the cleanest drivers I ever raced against, alongside Fernando Alonso. They are both absolutely extraordinary in wheel-to-wheel combat.

"But it was a very optimistic move from Lewis. To this day, I don't know how he did not retire with damage. Everything after that was a bonus and somehow the car stayed together and he got the job done and won."

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